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Best P-Bass for $400
- Thread starter vernhillbass
- Start date
I recommended a used MIM P, but read a couple mentions of the Yamaha BB series basses, and if that’s not too far off the mark, I can definitely support that idea.
Super basses for relatively small money.
Super basses for relatively small money.
Of everything mentioned I'm partial to the later model MIM Fender P's. I got a 2011 MIM P bass in sunburst with an added tort pick guard, SD QP pickups and a Babicz bridge for $400. It is absolutely the best feeling and playing bass I've ever had in my hands. That said you can't go wrong with the MIA Peavey Fury's. I've also played the Squier Classic Vibe P bass and liked it really well too.
I think it has a lot to do with the area that you're in.They rarely show up where I live used. So I know the one I found was meant for me. I had been shopping for one local in my area for at least 6 months. Walked in a local store one day and there it was. It was the first bass I saw when I walked in and it's mine now.
If you end up with a Yamaha BB, may you have better luck than I did; my BB400 in the 80s sounded non-precision completely, even after installing a Seymour Duncan.
Plus one on that!
I bought an older American Peavey Fury a couple of years ago for next to nothing. Recently I had a local shop do a setup on it before I gave it to my eleven year old great nephew for Christmas yesterday.
I played a bunch of different used P-basses in the past couple of weeks and didn't find anything better without spending a bunch of money.
Having owned and/or played a number of the basses discussed in this thread, I must add my voice to the chorus of fans of the Peavey Fury. It's not just a good bass for the pittance it will cost you; it's a good bass by any standard, comparable to much higher-line instruments from other companies (e.g., MIA Fender).
However, one thing to know about the Fury: it has a narrow, J-style neck, not the wider P-bass neck. If that's something you're looking for, then I agree with the people recommending a used MIM Fender or a new Squier Precision.
Among Squiers, Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified models get a lot of love, but my experience has been that with a little work even the lowly Affinity models can be turned into nice players. You could get one of those (often under $100 used), get a good pro set-up, and swap out any hardware or electronics you feel are insufficient, and still be comfortably under your budget. You won't get upgrade money out of the bass if you sell it (although you can put the old parts back and keep the upgrade parts or sell them separately), but, if you want to experiment with stuff like that anyway, there's no need to spend a bunch on an instrument to work on, in order to get a good solid base for modding.
But, if you're not into that (and no shame if not; it's sort of a disease), then I'd say (a) Peavey Fury if you don't mind a narrower neck, or (b) used MIM Fender Precision or (c) CV or VM Squier Precision.
However, one thing to know about the Fury: it has a narrow, J-style neck, not the wider P-bass neck. If that's something you're looking for, then I agree with the people recommending a used MIM Fender or a new Squier Precision.
Among Squiers, Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified models get a lot of love, but my experience has been that with a little work even the lowly Affinity models can be turned into nice players. You could get one of those (often under $100 used), get a good pro set-up, and swap out any hardware or electronics you feel are insufficient, and still be comfortably under your budget. You won't get upgrade money out of the bass if you sell it (although you can put the old parts back and keep the upgrade parts or sell them separately), but, if you want to experiment with stuff like that anyway, there's no need to spend a bunch on an instrument to work on, in order to get a good solid base for modding.
But, if you're not into that (and no shame if not; it's sort of a disease), then I'd say (a) Peavey Fury if you don't mind a narrower neck, or (b) used MIM Fender Precision or (c) CV or VM Squier Precision.
The earlier Furys (starting in 1983) had wider P-bass necks (1 11/16" at the nut). I'm not sure what year they switched over to the thinner J-style (1 1/2" at the nut) necks, but sometime in the mid-80's. .
I have a Squier VM P that is a decent bass, but I just picked up a blonde Squier CV 50's P with upgraded pup here on TB for well under $400 and I couldn't be happier with the quality of this bass.
Just purchased a Squier Chris Aiken Signature for $250 brand new. I think it is based off the CV Squier model. Plays awesome, but am rebuilding all of the inner electronics and putting in some SPB-3 Quarter Pounders, installing a tone pot and removing the mirrored pickguard for a solid black one. I am also re-shielding the entire guitar. The neck and action is fast on this bass. When all is said and done, I will have about $330 - $350 invested in it.
